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Sept. 21, 2006, 10:56PM
It's Dayne's turn to take starting job and run with it
Texans look to former Bronco to boost ground game
By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Veteran running back Ron Dayne is expected to replace rookie Wali Lundy in the Texans' starting lineup when they host Washington on Sunday.
Although Lundy and Samkon Gado also will play, Dayne's performance in the 43-24 loss to Indianapolis showed the coaches he's ready to be promoted. He gained eight yards on each of his first two carries against the Colts and finished with 37 yards on 11 carries.
"Chances are it'll be Ronnie with the direction we're going," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said about the starting job. "They're all going to play. You're going to see Ronnie and Samkon's roles get bigger and bigger as the weeks go on."
Dayne played for Kubiak in Denver last year and was signed after the Broncos waived him this month.
"He's a big, physical player who's always falling forward," Kubiak said. "Against Indy, I thought he was still a little rusty from the Ronnie I know, but you got to remember that he really didn't have a preseason."
Dayne went to camp with the Broncos listed as the starter but suffered from turf toe and missed so much time that he ended up not making the team.
"I just think he kind of fits the mold of what we want," Kubiak said. "Right now, we need somebody to pound the ball for three or four yards, and we need to get some yards on third down."
Dayne was inactive in the Texans' season-opening loss to Philadelphia because he was still recovering from turf toe.
"I'm ready for whatever they want me to do," Dayne said.
john.mcclain@chron.com
It's Dayne's turn to take starting job and run with it
Texans look to former Bronco to boost ground game
By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Veteran running back Ron Dayne is expected to replace rookie Wali Lundy in the Texans' starting lineup when they host Washington on Sunday.
Although Lundy and Samkon Gado also will play, Dayne's performance in the 43-24 loss to Indianapolis showed the coaches he's ready to be promoted. He gained eight yards on each of his first two carries against the Colts and finished with 37 yards on 11 carries.
"Chances are it'll be Ronnie with the direction we're going," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said about the starting job. "They're all going to play. You're going to see Ronnie and Samkon's roles get bigger and bigger as the weeks go on."
Dayne played for Kubiak in Denver last year and was signed after the Broncos waived him this month.
"He's a big, physical player who's always falling forward," Kubiak said. "Against Indy, I thought he was still a little rusty from the Ronnie I know, but you got to remember that he really didn't have a preseason."
Dayne went to camp with the Broncos listed as the starter but suffered from turf toe and missed so much time that he ended up not making the team.
"I just think he kind of fits the mold of what we want," Kubiak said. "Right now, we need somebody to pound the ball for three or four yards, and we need to get some yards on third down."
Dayne was inactive in the Texans' season-opening loss to Philadelphia because he was still recovering from turf toe.
"I'm ready for whatever they want me to do," Dayne said.
john.mcclain@chron.com
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